Tree in Town of Greece honors late priest, Fr. Eugene Weis

A tree is planted in memory of Father Eugene Weis during an Arbor Day ceremony at the Greece town campus Aug. 12. (Photo courtesy of Kirk Morris)

Mike Latona/Catholic Courier | 08.25.2025

Section: Monroe County

The late Father Eugene Weis, a priest with a long history of community volunteerism, was recently honored by the Town of Greece.

On Aug. 12, a tree-planting ceremony was held in remembrance of Father Weis. Speakers at the event were Greece Town Supervisor Bill Reilich; Father Weis’ sister, Sister of St. Joseph Monica Weis; and Father William Michatek, a senior diocesan priest and longtime friend of Father Weis.

The commemorative tree, an Autumn Blaze maple, is located along a walking track on the north end of the Greece town campus, 1 Vince Tofany Blvd. A monument to Father Weis has been placed at the base of the tree, which is situated near the edge of a pond.

According to a statement from the town, “Every year in observance of Arbor Day, the Town of Greece plants a tree to both honor a member of the community and to promote the importance of trees for our environment.”

Father Weis died on May 7, 2025, at age 89. He had been a priest of the Diocese of Rochester for nearly 63 years. His special connection with Greece began during his first assignment, as assisting priest at Our Mother of Sorrows Parish from 1962-68. He later served in the same role at another Greece church, St. John the Evangelist, from 1974-77.

Father Weis was a volunteer firefighter during his time in Greece and at all his other parish assignments. He was a fully trained volunteer fireman, answering more than 1,000 calls. He was a charter member of the New York State Association of Fire Chaplains, and he was named Honorary Life Chaplain of the North Greece Fire District.

Tags: Monroe County West, Priests